The synchronization of the frequencies of soul and body.

How on earth did that work?

This was how.

The Sword Immortal’s immortal energy penetrated deep into the Mad Demon’s mind.

And then—

the Mad Demon regressed into the past.

Regression?

Not exactly.

To be precise, it was memory regression.

It was as if his present self had possessed his past self within his memories.

A first-person observer’s perspective.

In other words, he was possessing the past—but he could not interfere with that body’s movements, only observe.

Yet the experience was completely direct.

From birth, through childhood, youth, adulthood, and old age, he relived his entire life in full.

Every sensation felt real.

The pain and misery of clutching his starving stomach and begging as an orphan.

The cold sensation of a blade stabbing deep into his belly during a territorial fight with beggars from another district.

Meeting the master of a one-disciple lineage and training in martial arts, the first inner energy forming in his core—warm and gentle.

Martial arts refined through real combat.

Before he knew it, he had become the strongest master in the martial world.

And then the desperate battle at the end of his life.

The memory of standing alone as a public enemy of the martial world, fighting the imperial army and warriors of both the righteous and demonic factions.

Stabbed, slashed, crushed—

everything was unbearably vivid.

Matching frequencies meant this:

re-experience, from the very beginning, the totality of memories accumulated through life.

So that the information contained in those memories would be engraved completely into the new body he now possessed.

That was the purpose of memory regression.

Memories are not embedded in consciousness, but in the body.

Because in the end, it is the body that remembers.

But the previous body was gone.

All the information stored within it had vanished entirely.

To correct that, the memory data had to be repeated and relived, engraved anew into the body.

A crude method.

Yet also ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) a mysterious technique.

Only an immortal could make something like this possible.

It wasn’t only the Mad Demon.

Cossack, Meatshield, Gyeon Dallae, Veronica Caliber... every sub-summoned struck down by the Sword Immortal was experiencing memory regression.

Sorrow, joy, despair, hope, regret, pain, ecstasy, endurance, achievement—

moments they wished to forget, moments they longed to relive, moments so distant they could no longer remember them at all—every single one was being carved once more into their flesh.

Meanwhile, Juhyeok—

was in a strange place.

It resembled a courtroom.

Where am I?

Was this the Sword Immortal’s doing?

Why had he been sent here?

And the person before him—

a portly, middle-aged man wearing a crown, with a face red as a jujube and a thick black beard, tilted his head as he looked at Juhyeok.

“Who is the sinner?”

“Huh? I’m not a sinner. My name’s Bong Juhyeok.”

“If you are not a sinner, why are you here? And in the state of a soul?”

“...A soul? Am I dead?”

“Well...”

The man flipped through a book.

“Hmm. The name Bong Juhyeok does not appear in the Register of the Dead.”

...The Register of the Dead?

That was a term he had heard before.

“Let me take a closer look.”

The man poked Juhyeok’s soul with his finger.

“Oh?”

A brief moment passed.

“Tsk tsk. I knew it. Honestly, that Sword Immortal... tch!”

Huh?

He knows the Sword Immortal?

“He should have explained things before sending you.”

Explain what?

The man smiled at Juhyeok.

“In any case, welcome to Hell, Great Hero Bong.”

Eek!

H-Hell?!

Countless thoughts exploded in Juhyeok’s mind.

Did I die?

Am I in Hell because I died?

“Um—”

“Ah! Don’t worry. You didn’t come here by dying.”

“Then?”

“It’s merely a mental connection. You could say your soul briefly skipped dimensions.”

“...Does that mean I can go back?”

“Indeed. In about thirty seconds.”

Ah!

What a relief.

“Since there’s no time, I’ll immediately pass on the technique for aligning the frequencies of body and soul.”

“...What?”

All of a sudden?

“It’s called memory regression. Normally, Hell’s judges use it during trials to make sinners fully recognize their crimes by showing them all their past lives.”

Then he raised his hand and waved it casually.

“Whoa—”

And just like that, Juhyeok awakened to the technique within his consciousness.

“That will do.”

“...Yes, it seems so.”

“To use memory regression, you need appropriate sacred energy. Immortal energy will suffice.”

Immortal energy?

“I only have magic power and internal energy.”

“Didn’t the Sword Immortal leave you celestial peaches? Eat them regularly. One a day. Since you have immortal roots, the immortal energy will settle well.”

Right.

Celestial peaches.

The food of immortals.

Currency of the Immortal Realm.

“That concludes everything. Off you go—and be sure to save the world.”

“Th-thank you... but, um, who are you?”

The man smiled broadly.

“I am Yama.”

“...”

Then suddenly his vision blurred.

POP!

Juhyeok opened his eyes.

A familiar sky came into view.

White Tower Floor 17.

Whoa!

Can you believe this?

I just went to Hell.

He had even met King Yama.

Even if it was the Hell of another world.

I should live a good life.

Anyway, he had learned the memory regression technique.

Since it was embedded in his soul, he could use it immediately as long as he had immortal energy.

He could guess why he had been taught this.

The technique currently affecting the sub-summoned was memory regression.

Making them relive all their life experiences within their current bodies to align their frequencies.

Later, when summoning other sub-summoned at random, he was probably meant to use memory regression on them as well.

Ah...

Wise and warm-hearted Sword Immortal.

But does this count as a skill?

Right then—

Ding!

[Skill: Memory Regression acquired.]

[Memory Regression has been registered under the Status Window’s Special Skills.]

Status Window?

[Special Skills]: Designated Summon / Random Summon / Dismiss Summon / Memory Regression

Perfect.

The system acknowledged it.

Then I should get up now—huh?

Come to think of it, the back of his head felt soft.

Like a goose-down pillow.

There was even a floral scent.

Where’s this nice smell coming from?

He turned his head slightly and looked up.

“Master?”

...

It was Diamat.

Juhyeok was lying with his head on her thigh.

“Mm...”

“You’re awake?”

His heart raced.

Skills keep activating whenever there’s an opening.

In moments like this, it was best to pretend nothing had happened.

“How long was I out?”

“About three minutes? You can keep lying there if you want.”

“No, I can’t do that. It must be heavy.”

“Not heavy at all. Hehehe.”

His heart was pounding nonstop, but he calmly got up as if nothing were wrong.

The sub-summoned were still sprawled unconscious on the ground.

Over there, the Sword Immortal and Rajix were chatting amicably.

“Hahaha, you even stored that gigant and thirty fire engines?”

“WAAH!”

“And even the corpse of that huge dragon?”

“WAAH!”

“Truly an astonishing infinite-space ability. There is an immortal in my realm who also uses infinite space—when the opportunity arises, I shall introduce you.”

“L-later?”

What about El?

She was working on magical circuits with a gigant laid down—probably preparing Unit No. 3.

“Sword Immortal.”

“Oh! Great Hero Bong, did you learn well?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

“That’s good. It’s a useful technique. I learned it myself while helping out part-time at Hell’s court.”

“...I see.”

What kind of immortal does part-time work?

It must be rough over there too.

In any case, Juhyeok bowed deeply in thanks.

Then—

“When will they wake up? It seems like memory regression still has a long way to go—”

“It’s already finished. But they must complete a task within the mental realm to awaken.”

A task?

“That... what was it again? That dragon-lizard thing I dealt with.”

“The Supreme Demon Dragon, Helcrasus.”

“Ah! Hel-something. I recreated an identical dragon in the mental realm. Once they defeat it, they’ll wake up.”

“...What?”

How are they supposed to defeat that thing?

“Don’t worry. They’ll manage. They’re not alone—ten of them will be fighting together.”

“R-really?”

“I believe in them. I only released two of them.”

Two?

Two Supreme Demon Dragons?

“I was going to release three, but one must savor things slowly—your stomach won’t fill on the first bite.”

They won’t even manage the first bite...

This is bad.

Can they really do it?

Gangnam, Rajix Trading Headquarters.

CEO Jung Dong-hoon was receiving a report from Secretary Oh Jinsuk.

“This is the final design draft for the custom bike. The front features the name ‘Sword Immortal,’ the handlebars replicate a sword hilt, and the wheels and footrests also use sword-themed designs.”

Jung Dong-hoon nodded while reviewing the draft.

This should meet Player Bong’s requirements.

Should I send a photo?

He took a picture and sent it via messenger.

A reply arrived shortly after.

Ding!

– Looks good. Proceed as is. As fast as possible.

Seems he liked it.

“Tell them to start work immediately.”

“Yes.”

“Cost doesn’t matter. Make sure it’s done within three days.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, one more thing.”

Jung Dong-hoon pointed at a gigant figure on his desk.

“You can remove the gigant display advertisement at Yeouido Park. Start work on that today as well.”

“Ah... then the permit—”

“Yes. It’s already been approved.”

What a relief.

It had been bothering his eyes for a while.

“Soon the footage of Gigant Unit No. 2 will be released. We’ll contact the factory and start sales, so tell them to prepare.”

Once this video goes public, figure sales will begin as well.

A Gigant model wielding a shield and sword.

The cheap versions will be plastic.

The premium ones will be metal.

They’ll sell extremely well.

After watching the video, no one will be able to resist buying one.

Even he himself was eagerly waiting for the release.

White Tower Floor 17.

Time passed quickly.

Yet the sub-summoned still hadn’t woken up.

When would they wake?

What if something went wrong and they never did?

Worried, he asked the Sword Immortal.

“They’ll wake soon. They all have that much potential. You know that too, Great Hero Bong.”

I know, but...

I want to shake them awake, but I can’t.

He said leaving them alone was best.

One day passed.

Then another.

By the third day, they still hadn’t escaped the mental realm.

“Tsk tsk. They’re weaker than I thought.”

“...That’s only by your standards, Sword Immortal.”

“Even so!”

So he really is an immortal.

I shouldn’t trust him blindly.

“...There’s no helping it. I’ll put in a little effort.”

With an extremely annoyed expression, the Sword Immortal approached the fallen sub-summoned and started poking them here and there.

Is that enough?

Please, just wake up safely.

In the meantime, the custom bike was completed.

Juhyeok went outside with Rajix to deliver it.

The Sword Immortal was overjoyed.

“Hahahaha! This customization fits my identity perfectly. May I ride it?”

“It’s your bike, Sword Immortal. Ride it as much as you like.”

“My thanks!”

If you’re thankful, please do something about our sub-summoned.

I could buy you a hundred bikes like this.

Vroom! Vroooom, vrrr!

As if in a hurry, the Sword Immortal tore down the road on White Tower Floor 17 on the bike.

Smartphones followed after him.

Juhyeok stayed by the sub-summoned, waiting for them to awaken.

In truth, the random-summon cooldown had already ended.

He could summon new sub-summoned at any moment.

But how could he welcome new companions while these ones still hadn’t regained consciousness?

After everyone wakes up...

Suddenly—

“Ghh...”

With a groan, the Mad Demon sat bolt upright.

Oh!

Finally!

“M-Mad Demon!”

“...Summoner.”

“You’re awake.”

“My apologies. This old man lacked ability, so it took time.”

“No, no—waking up is all that matters.”

What about the others?

“Yahhh!!!”

Cossack too.

“For a warrior, it was a harsh trial.”

Meatshield as well.

“Young Master, I apologize for causing concern.”

“Veronica Caliber reports back.”

“Light!!!”

“I’m back too.”

“Woof woof woof woof!”

Everyone was awake.

Juhyeok was thrilled.

“You must be hungry. Let’s each take one of these. Rajix?”

“WAAH?”

“Take out the celestial peaches.”

“WAAH!”

SSSK, SSSK, SSSK.

And so each sub-summoned received one celestial peach.

“Eat one each. You need to recover.”

“This is—”

“That won’t do. Summoner Bong should be the only one eating these. Please just heat up instant rice for us.”

“Indeed. There aren’t many to begin with.”

“These peaches should be reserved for Young Master alone. Please take them back.”

“Combat rations are sufficient for me.”

But—

“If you all do well, I do well. I’ve already eaten plenty.”

That wasn’t a lie.

He had already eaten five.

“Still—”

“Absolute obedience?”

“This qualifies as a refusal under Rule Three, Clause Three.”

“Really now. Do you want to be expelled from the White Tower? Then the bodies we just synchronized will disappear again—”

“I’ll eat it immediately. Please give it to me.”

Thus each of them bit into a peach.

Every single one wore an ecstatic expression.

Of course.

Celestial peaches weren’t ordinary fruit.

Juhyeok himself had been shocked the first time he ate one.

“Tsk tsk, what a waste...”

The Sword Immortal appeared.

“Well, I expected as much. Still, try not to give these away and use them sparingly.”

“Haha, yes, yes.”

“In any case, it seems time for us to part.”

“...What?”

Leaving?

Already?

“Couldn’t you stay a little longer—”

“All meetings end in parting. Once you meet, separation is inevitable.”

“Still—”

“The sooner a destined farewell comes, the better. Then... ah!”

The Sword Immortal took something out of his infinite space and handed it to Juhyeok.

It was fur.

A whole bunch of it.

“...Fur.”

“Yes. Fur.”

“...”

Fur?

Why fur?

Awkward.

“Ahem. It’s not my fur. Monkey fur.”

“Ah, monkey fur...”

But why monkey fur?

“In a moment of crisis, it will serve as a means to help you.”

“This fur?”

“If you find yourself overmatched, blow on it and scatter it. Using about half should be more than enough.”

...This feels familiar.

But it was from an immortal—refusing wasn’t an option.

“From which monkey did this fur come?”

“Ah! A monkey demon known as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.”

“...Pardon?”

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven?

No way...

The Sword Immortal drew his sword.

“This is farewell.”

“Huh? Already?”

Then, slicing the air—

SLASH!

Crack-crack-crack!

A fissure formed, thin fractures spreading through space.

“May you achieve your purpose.”

“W-wait!”

Whoosh!

The Sword Immortal vanished through the fissure.

“He’s gone.”

“He’s gone.”

“He left.”

“He’s gone.”

“He went.”

“He has departed.”

“He has departed indeed.”

“Later.”

A hollow feeling filled his chest.

The Sword Immortal had given them so much.

And in return, all he had received was a bike and a few Earth goods.

“Then now...”

Honestly, he was dying of curiosity.

Those whose soul and body frequencies had been aligned,

those who had trained in the mental realm and awakened with confidence—

just how much had they changed?

“Shall we go into the tower for a bit?”

“Yes!”

Let’s go and see right away.

[Entering Republic of Korea Black Tower (NO.1) 88th Floor.]

Juhyeok entered Earth No. 1,001’s Republic of Korea Black Tower (NO.1).

The floor where Sand Dragons appear.

An upper floor still unconquered.

Back in Earth No. 675’s Black Tower, even the Mad Demon’s crescent energy hadn’t been able to scratch this thing.

BOOM!

A massive Sand Dragon burst up through the sand.

“This old man will go first—”

ZIIING!

The Mad Demon manifested a crescent of energy.

It was less than half the size of before, but far denser, darker—compressed.

TSHHT!

With a short tearing sound, it flew toward the Sand Dragon.

Thump!

“Keeek!”

It pierced straight through the monster’s body.

“Whoa!”

So the training really worked.

But it wasn’t over yet.

ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING! ZIIING!

Hundreds of compressed crescents formed instantly above the Mad Demon’s raised hand.

TSHHT-TSHHT-TSHHT-TSHHT-TSHHT!

Like a swarm of locusts, they engulfed the Sand Dragon.

SLASH! SHRRRK, SHRRRK-SHRRRK-SHRRRK—

The Sand Dragon was shredded to pieces, like fruit thrown into a blender.

......

What?

That easily?

[Sub-Dragon Sand Dragon defeated 1/1]

[You have cleared the 88th-floor mission.]

“Hey! What are you doing? Sword King Cossack hasn’t even warmed up yet.”

“Tsk tsk. Were you that eager to show off?”

“Who here can’t kill a Sand Dragon?”

“Did you align frequencies alone? Train alone?”

“They say old men grow greedy.”

“Hey! I prepared a ton to show how much I’d changed!”

“Exclude the Mad Demon next time!”

“Go clean the White Tower!”

“Agh!”

Criticism poured in.

The Mad Demon flushed red, not knowing what to do.

Then—

[World Announcement: You have achieved clear grade S+++ on Black Tower NO.1 (Korea), Floor 88.]

[S+++ Clear Reward: 2 Platinum Badges have been granted.]

The administrators of Earth No. 1,001 were left utterly stunned.